Detergent composition

ABSTRACT

A detergent composition comprising the following ingredients: an inorganic alkali salt, a water-insoluble organic solvent, an amine, a pyrrolidone compound, polyhydric alcohol, anionic surface active agent, and water.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to a detergent composition including aninorganic alkali salt, water insoluble organic solvent, amine,pyrrolidone compound, anionic surface active agent, and water.

BACKGROUND ART

The conventional detergent composition for detergent the smears composedof oils is composed of widely known combination of a strong alkalinesubstance, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodiumsilicate or the like, with a surface active agent. Such a strongalkaline detergent composition raises safety problems. That is, in thecase where a facility such as grill and oven (the facilities, devicesand the like, the smears of which are required to be deterged will behereinafter referred to as "object to be cleaned" as a generic name) isused at a high temperature and cleaned with such a detergent immediatelyafter the use thereof (high temperature cleaning), such a detergenteasily splatters to present a danger to the users in the vicinity.Another problem is that dispersion of a detergent into the applicationarea, where it can be inhaled or settle on surfaces other than object tobe cleaned, is noticeable while cleaning is carried out by sprayingoperation. Note, the terminology "dispersing" of the detergent, as usedherein, includes a mist of the detergent generated during sprayingthereof, a vapor. If cleaning is to be carried out after the temperatureof an object to be cleaned has been lowered approximately to roomtemperature, the pause time extending from the stop of use to reusebecomes a considerably long period of time, thus making thattime-consuming approach highly inconvenient. In addition, theconventional detergent composition contains a great amount of solidscontent, and there is a concern that it tends to leave residues adheredto an object cleaned at high temperature. These residues are essentiallyirremovable once baked onto the surface of the object cleaned, even byrinsing for an extended period of time.

On the other hand, another detergent composition useful for the cleaningof kitchen ranges, barbecue utensils, and the like is known fromJapanese Examined Patent Publication No. 57-47238. This detergentcomposition is composed of water, an inorganic detergent, ammonia and/ororganic amine compound, water soluble mono- or di-substituted amide,water insoluble or slightly soluble solvent, and a surface active agent,and can effectively clean and remove grease, fat and the like at a lowtemperature of 150° F. (about 65° C.), and owing to its non-alkalinityexposure, dangers to users can be avoided. However, since this detergentcomposition is poor in compatibility, variability is observed in thedetergency thereof, and a phenomenon of producing white turbidityappears easily and phase separation is likely to be produced. Therefore,at the time of the practical use of this detergent composition, it isnecessary to add thereto a much greater amount of thickener to produce apaste, and as a result thereof, it becomes difficult to coat thisdetergent composition by a hand spray, and it is necessary to resort tobrushing by use of a brush or spraying it in an aerosol form. Thisbrings about noticeable lowering of its workability. Further, thisdetergent composition has the problem that a great amount of residueremains on the surface of the cleaned object after completion ofcleaning. The residue of this kind is difficult to remove by rinsing,requiring a long period of rinsing time, and as a result, a safetyproblem emerges due to the prolonged exposure to cleaning agents.

In addition, a detergent composition for detergent smears of grill, ovenand the like also is known from, e.g., Japanese Examined PatentPublication No. 4-61915. This detergent composition is used for quicklydeterging the carbonized oily smears of a grill, oven, and the like, andgrease and the like accumulated within a duct, and contains, asindispensable constituent ingredients, alkali metal hydroxide,triethanolamine, polyhydric alcohol, ampholytic surface active agent,and water. This detergent composition is composed essentially of arelatively strong alkali, and therefore raises a safety problem forusers. In addition, in the explanation of this detergent composition,there is mentioned the "dispersing" of a detergent at the time ofhigh-temperature cleaning as the problem awaiting solution of theconventional technique, but this detergent composition is still thoughtinsufficient as a means of solving such problem. That is, this detergentcomposition is likely to be splattered especially at a high temperatureor at the time of a spraying application, so as to exert danger to theusers, or water droplets generated on the highly heated plate, and thelike phenomena. In addition, the major proportion of the indispensableconstituent ingredients is composed of solid contents, and thisdetergent composition has the problem in that the detergent compositionwill remain as residue on cleaned objects.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to solve the problemsof the aforesaid conventional detergent compositions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a detergent composition that is safe tothe health of users, including at usages involving high temperatureand/or spray applications. Further, the present detergent compositiondoes not remain at all as residue, or remains only as a trace ofresidue, on an object once cleaned therewith, which enables uniformcleaning in a relatively short time and with high efficiency, and whichinventive detergent composition is suitable especially for removing theoil and grease smears on a grill, oven or the like.

One purpose of the present invention is to enhance the safety of thecomposition and thereby lessen the possible ill effect to users evenwhen the detergent composition is applied to an object to be cleaned ata high temperature or by spray coating.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make it possible toeffect efficient cleaning with safety and in a short time at a hightemperature, e.g., at a temperature ranging from 50° to 150° C.

Yet another purpose of the present invention is to set the viscosity ofthe composition to a predetermined value, and thereby prevent theproduction of sags and the like in the detergent film for an object tobe cleaned, and simultaneously to make the use of a means such as spraycoating possible, and thereby noticeably improve the workability anddetergency.

An additional purpose of the present invention is to prevent theformation and leaving of detergent residue on the object cleaned by theinventive detergent composition, other than trace amounts at the mostwhich would pose no health threat.

Yet another purpose of the present invention is to make the compositionof the detergent composition uniform, and thereby enable uniformcleaning.

These and other purposes of the present invention will be easilyunderstood from the following described detergent composition of thepresent invention.

The aforesaid purposes of the present invention can be achieved,according to the present invention, by a detergent compositioncomprising the following ingredients:

an inorganic alkali salt,

a water-insoluble organic solvent,

an amine,

a pyrrolidone compound,

polyhydric alcohol,

anionic surface active agent, and

water.

The detergent composition according to the present invention contains,in a preferred embodiment, 1 to 50 parts by weight of said inorganicalkali salt, 1 to 50 parts by weight of said water-insoluble organicsolvent, 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of amines, 0.1 to 30 parts by weightof said pyrrolidone compound, I to 200 parts by weight of saidpolyhydric alcohol, and 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of said anionicsurface active agent (based on 100 parts by weight of water).

Note, the term "water-insoluble" used herein means that the extent towhich a substrate (solute) mixes with pure water at a room temperatureand an atmospheric pressure is 20% or less.

The above-mentioned ingredients to be contained in the detergentcomposition according to the present invention are more specificallydescribed later herein.

In another preferred embodiment, the inorganic alkali salt of theinventive detergent composition is an inorganic alkali carbonate. Italso is preferred that the water-soluble organic solvent is selectedfrom the group consisting benzyl alcohol, phenyl glycol ether, andphenyl carbitol. It is preferred that the amine is selected from thegroup consisting of aliphatic primary amines and aromatic primaryamines. It also is preferred that the pyrrolidone compound iswater-soluble. Also, it is preferred that the anionic surface activeagent is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonatesand alkylsulfonates. Preferably, the inventive detergent composition hasa Brookfield viscosity at 20° C. within the range of 5 to 50,000 cps.

According to the present invention, since the detergent composition doesnot contain a strong alkaline substance, unlike the conventionaldetergent composition, workers can handle it with safety. In addition,the present detergent composition is advantageous in the point that itcan be applied to an object to be cleaned at the time of hightemperature or by spray coating. In addition, in the above connection,since, after application of the present detergent composition, thesubsequent washing can be conducted without waiting for the lowering ofthe temperature of an object to be cleaned, i.e., immediately after theapplication of the detergent composition, the washing time can beshortened to a great extent.

Since the detergent composition of the present invention has a suitableviscosity, there can be prevented the production of sags in thedetergent film on an object to be cleaned, and the like, and a meanssuch as spray coating can be used with safety and in a straight forwardway, whereby the handleability can be noticeably improved.

In addition, since the detergent composition of the present invention isexcellent in detergency; washing in a short time and with highefficiency becomes attainable due to this reason.

In addition, when the detergent composition of the present invention isused, there remains little residue of the composition on an object to becleaned, after the completion of cleaning, rinsing can be effectedsimply and in a short time, and after the completion of rinsing, noresidue is present, or even if a residue is present, it is only in avery slight trace amount, and therefore, for example, when the object tobe cleaned is a grill or oven, there can be avoided the adverse effecton the food subsequently cooked on the cleaned object.

Since the detergent composition of the present invention has goodcompatibility with customary cooking or baking surfaces, an object to becleaned can be uniformly cleaned without unevenness.

The detergent composition according to the present invention exhibitsits excellent effect when it is used for removing the stubborn smears ona grill, oven and the like. Especially when the present detergentcomposition is used for a steam oven which can be rinsed with water, itsdeterging effect is noticeable within a wide temperature range betweenabout 50° and 150° C., and the present detergent composition is alsoexcellent in terms of safety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet illustrating in a series and succession of stepsshowing a preferred method for cleaning the oily smears of a steam ovenby use of the detergent composition of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow sheet illustrating in a series and succession of stepsshowing the conventional cleaning method using a strong alkali.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a detergent or cleaner composition, andmore specifically, a detergent composition suitable for deterging thesmears on a grill, oven, and the like, especially those used for foodpreparation. The detergent composition according to the presentinvention exhibits excellent detergency and simultaneously brings aboutnoticeable improvement of safety and workability, especially when it isused for the detergent of a steam oven. The smears herein referred to bedeterged by the detergent composition of the present invention areprincipally those such as modified proteins and fats and oils adhered tothe object to be cleaned, especially baked-on smears caused bydispersing, dripping and condensing of fats and oils from cooked food,which are difficult to be removed by an ordinary cleaning method. Inaddition, in the present specification, such smears will sometimes bereferred to merely as "oil" or "oils".

The first ingredient of the detergent composition of the presentinvention is an inorganic alkali salt. The inorganic alkali salt is usedfor the purpose of decomposing oils and thereby achieving detergency.Such a salt includes carbonates, phosphates, borates and the like, eachhaving its own peculiar advantage. For example, carbonates includesodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, and the like,and have advantages such as high safety, comparatively high detergency,easy availability due to low prices, rare public pollution due to theabsence of a phosphorus compound, and the like. Phosphates includetrisodium phosphate, tripotassium phosphate, trilithium phosphate,sodium metapoylphosphate and the like and have the advantages, such ashigh detergency. Borates include sodium borate, potassium borate,ammonium borate, and the like, and have the advantages, such asespecially high safety.

The inorganic alkali salt is used, as described in the foregoing, in aproportional amount ranging from 1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100parts by weight of water in the composition. When the proportionalamount of the inorganic alkali salt is less than 1 part by weight, thecleaning effect sought from the addition of the inorganic alkali saltcannot be adequately exhibited, and, on the other hand, when it exceeds50 parts by weight, further improvement of the cleaning effect is notobserved, and the compatibility of the overall composition will belowered. The inorganic alkali salt is used in a proportional amountranging preferably from 3 to 30 parts by weight, and especiallypreferably from 5 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight ofwater, in order to obtain good balance with the other ingredients.

The second ingredient is a water-insoluble organic solvent. Thewater-insoluble organic solvent has a function of dissolving oils andthereby enhancing the detergency of the detergent composition. Inparticular, since this organic solvent is "water-insoluble", it improvesthe affinity of the composition with oils to be cleaved from an object,and is effective in the point that the boiling point is comparativelyhigh, and this organic solvent is unlikely to be scattered even at thetime of high-temperature cleaning. Such an organic solvent includes, forexample, diphenyl ether, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol,benzyl alcohol, phenyl glycol ether, phenyl carbitol, 2-octanol,n-octanol, decanol, dodecanol, and the like. These organic solvents maybe used each singly or as an optional mixture of 2 or more of them.Amongst these, benzyl alcohol, phenyl glycol ether, and phenyl carbitolexhibit high detergency and good affinity with the combinedly usedpolyhydric alcohol, resulting in good compatibility, and owing to thesehigh boiling points, they are not dispersed even at the time ofhigh-temperature cleaning, so that these compounds can be advantageouslyused.

The water-insoluble organic solvent is used in a proportional amountranging from 1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight ofwater in the composition. When this proportional amount is less than 1part by weight, the effect as an organic solvent cannot be exhibited,and, on the other hand, when it exceeds 50 parts by weight, any furtherimprovement of the detergency is not observed, and there is a concernthat if amount of water-insoluble ingredients are increased too muchphase separation will occur. Such an organic solvent is used in aproportional amount ranging preferably from 3 to 30 parts by weight, andespecially preferably from 5 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 partsby weight of water, in order to obtain good balance with the otheringredients.

The third ingredient is an amine. Amines dissolve oils, and by additionof a small amount thereof, the detergency of the detergent compositionis improved. As suitable amines, examples include aliphatic or aromaticprimary amines, which have hitherto been used in general as a defattingagent, typically, e.g., monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, propanolamine,ethylamine, benzylamine, butylisopropanolamine, N-(β-aminoethyl)ethanolamine, and the like. These amines will function as solventscapable of dissolving principally saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.These amines can be used alone or in combination with each other.

Amines are used in a proportional amount ranging from 0.1 to 30 parts byweight based on 100 parts by weight of water in the composition. Whenthis proportional amount is less than 0.1 part by weight, the effect asa defatting agent cannot be exhibited, and, on the other hand, when itexceeds 30 parts by weight, the component can adversely affect theusers. Amines are used in a proportional amount ranging preferably from5 to 20 parts by weight, and especially preferably from 0.2 to 10 partsby weight, based on 100 parts by weight of water, in order to obtaingood balance with the other ingredients. In any event, amines arerequired to be used owing to the strong detergency contributed thereby,but in order to avoid the problems such as skin rash of the usersproduced when they are used in a great amount, it is recommended tolimit the use thereof to the least possible amount.

The fourth ingredient is a pyrrolidone compound. The pyrrolidonecompound has a function as "a solvent" capable of dissolving saturatedand unsaturated fatty acids and a function as "surface active agent"improving the wetting property of the detergent. As suitable pyrrolidonecompounds, examples include N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone,N-methylhydroxypyrrolidone, N-ethylhydroxypyrrolidone,N-cyclohexyprrolidone, N-octylpyrrolidone, N-dodecylpyrrolidone, and thelike. In addition, amongst these pyrrolidones, preferred are the oneswhere the alkyl group contained therein is a straight chain or branchedalkyl group (with 7 or more carbon atoms), which are water-insoluble,e.g., N-octylpyrrolidone, N-dodecylpyrrolidone, and the like. When thepyrrolidone compound is water-insoluble as mentioned above, there isproduced a noticeable effect of improving the wetting property to anobject to be cleaned.

The pyrrolidone compound is used in a proportional amount ranging from0.1 to 30 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of water in thecomposition. When the proportional amount is less than 0.1 part byweight, the effect due to the addition of the pyrrolidone compound isnot exhibited, and, on the other hand, when it exceeds 30 parts byweight, phase separation is caused and a uniform composition cannot beobtained. The pyrrolidone compound is used in a proportional amountranging preferably from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, and especiallypreferably from I and 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weightof water, in order to obtain good balance with the other ingredients.

The fifth ingredient is polyhydric alcohol. The polyhydric alcohol has afunction as "a solubilizing agent" for an organic solvent; a function as"a dry-up-preventing agent" of the detergent at the time ofhigh-temperature cleaning; and a function as "a solvent" in the case offatty acids being removed. As the polyhydric alcohol which isadvantageously usable in the present invention, there are mentionedpropylene glycol and glycerine because of the low toxicity andsubstantial harmlessness thereof Propylene glycol is greatly effectivefor solubilizing an organic solvent, and glycerine is excellent incompatibility with phenyl glycol ether or phenyl carbitol, which is usedas an organic solvent.

The polyhydric alcohol is used in a proportional amount ranging from 1to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of water in thecomposition. When the proportional amount is less than 1 part by weight,the effect due to the addition of the polyhydric alcohol cannot beexhibited, and on the other hand, when it exceeds 200 parts by weight,not only the cost is increased, but also the deterging effect becomeslowered. The polyhydric alcohol is used in a proportional amount rangingpreferably from 10 to 150 parts by weight, and especially preferablyfrom 20 to 100 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of water,in order to obtain good balance with the other ingredients.

The sixth ingredient is an anionic surface active agent, which has notonly the inherent function as "surface active agent" of improving thewetting property with an object to be cleaned and improving thedetergency, but also a function as "solubilizing agent" for solubilizingthe combinedly used pyrrolidone compound. As the anionic surface activeagent which can be advantageously used in the present invention, thereare mentioned sulfates, e.g., sodium dodecylsulfate, higher alcoholsulfate, higher alcohol ethoxysulfate, and the like,alkylbenzenesulfonates, e.g., sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and thelike, and alkylsulfonates, e.g., sodium dodecylsulfonate, and the like.Especially advantageously usable surface active agents arealkylbenzenesulfonates and alkylsulfonates, from the viewpoint of easyavailability and low costs.

The anionic surface active agent is used in a proportional amountranging from 0.1 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight ofwater in the composition. When the proportional amount is less than 0.1part by weight, the effect due to the addition of the anionic surfaceactive agent cannot be exhibited, and, on the other hand, when itexceeds 50 parts by weight, advantageous effect is not produced withregard to the deterging effect, though the cost is increased. Theanionic surface active agent is used in a proportional amount rangingpreferably from 0.5 to 30 parts by weight, and especially preferablyfrom 1 to 20 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of water, inorder to obtain good balance with the other ingredients.

In addition, besides the above-mentioned six kinds of ingredients, theremay be combinedly used therewith such other additives and adjuvants asare ordinarily used in the technical field of detergent compositions. Assuitable supplemental and optional additives, there are mentioned, e.g.,thickeners, abrasives, colorants, perfumes, and the like.

The detergent composition of the present invention has a Brookfieldviscosity ranging preferably from 5 to 50,000 centipoise (cps) whenmeasured at a temperature of 20° C. The Brookfield viscosity isdetermined at 20° C. and spindle rate of 60 r.p.m. on a Brookfield typeviscometer with No. 3 rotor. When the viscosity is below 5 cps, there isbrought about a problem concerning adhesion (sags) of the detergent toan object to be cleaned or a problem concerning sagging detergingeffect, which is not preferable, and, on the other hand, when theviscosity exceeds 50,000 cps, there are brought about troubles such asdifficulty of spray coating. The viscosity of the detergent compositionis within a range more preferably between 10 and 10,000 cps, andespecially preferably between 50 and 1,000 cps.

In order to impart the aforesaid adequate viscosity to the detergentcomposition, there can be added a thickener for adjustment of viscosity.As suitable thickener, there may be used, e.g., natural polysaccharides,inorganic fine particulates and the like, specifically xanthane gum,carrageenan, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose salts or silica,alumina, and the like. In particular, xanthane gum, carrageenan andsodium alginate are the most suitable in the practice of the presentinvention, because they have a good solubility in water, a small amountthereof is sufficient to obtain a remarkable thickening effect, and theyshow a high level of safety due to no residue thereof after cleaning.

The detergent composition of the present invention has a pH value of 13or less. The preferable pH value range is generally 10 to 13 in view ofsafety and cleaning power, though it somewhat varies depending on thecompounding ratio of the ingredients constituting the composition.

The detergent composition of the present invention can be prepared bycompounding the aforesaid ingredients according to any conventionalmanner. Although the order of the compounding of the ingredients can bewidely changed depending upon the kinds of the ingredients and theamounts of the used ingredients, and the like, according to the presentinventor's knowledge, compounding carried out in the following fivestages, preferably at room temperature (about 25° C.), is advantageousin view of the uniformity of the composition and of the prevention ofbubbling.

    ______________________________________                                        The first stage:                                                                        to agitate the inorganic alkali salt and amines together                      with water                                                          The second stage:                                                                       to admix and agitate the polyhydric alcohol                         The third stage:                                                                        to admix and agitate the water-insoluble organic                              solvent                                                             The fourth stage:                                                                       to admix and agitate the anionic surface active agent               The fifth stage:                                                                        to admix and agitate the pyrrolidone compound.                      ______________________________________                                    

When the detergent composition of the present invention is used, asalready explained in detail, an object to be cleaned such as grill andoven can be cleaned in a relatively very short time and with highefficiency as compared with the conventional cleaning method, and theworkability is also good. This will be explained with reference to theflow sheet for the cleaning method of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet explaining in succession a preferable method forcleaning oily smears of a steam oven by use of the detergent composition(cleaning liquid) of the present invention. A steam oven is ordinarilyat a high temperature ranging from 80° to 100° C. immediately after thecompletion of the previous cooking operation. Leaving the oven operationat that temperature, the cleaning liquid is applied to the inside of theoven over those areas to be cleaned. In order to apply the cleaningliquid, a hand spray can be advantageously used, because the cleaningliquid of the present invention has a high level of safety. After thecleaning liquid has been applied to the oven, the oven is closed andallowed to stand for a period of time ranging from about 10 to 15minutes. During this period of time, the cleaning liquid penetrates intothe smears of the oven, so that cleaning action proceeds. After the ovenhas been allowed to stand for a predetermined period of time, theoperation of the oven is discontinued, whereafter the oven is againopened and the smears remaining after the cleaning are rinsed away.Water is used for the rinsing. By the rinsing, not only the smears butalso the cleaning liquid are washed out, leaving little or no residue.At the time when the inside of the oven is dried, the oven can be usedagain for cooking operations. In addition to rinsing with water, it iscontemplated that wiping with a cloth or sponge is helpful in removingthe treated smears.

For reference's sake, the conventional cleaning method using strongalkali cleaning liquid is shown in FIG. 2. According to the conventionalcleaning liquid, if the used cleaning liquid scatters, the users may beendangered, and the temperature of the oven is lowered. That is, afterthe completion of the previous cooking operation, the operation of theoven is discontinued and the oven is allowed to stand as it is for atime adequate to cool the inside of the oven to approximately roomtemperature. As can be imagined, this operation requires a considerablylong period of time, which results in the loss of the oven function fora long period of time. After cooling (i.e., by allowing the oven tostand), the cleaning liquid is applied to the oven smears. In this case,it is possible to use a hand spray in order to apply the cleaningliquid, as in the cleaning method of the present invention, but sincethe main ingredient of the conventional cleaning liquid typically iswater containing a strong alkali ingredient, the problems such as theproduction of an airborne mist of the cleaning agent and the inhalationof the mist by the users cannot be avoided. After the cleaning liquidhas been applied, it is necessary to allow the oven to stand for aperiod of time ranging from about 10 to 15 minutes as in the cleaningmethod in the present invention. In addition, in order to achieve acleaning effect, it is necessary to start the operation of the oven andheat the inside of the oven to a temperature of about 80° for a periodof time ranging from about 10 to 15 minutes. After the oven has beenheated for such a predetermined period of time, the operation of theoven is discontinued, and the oven is again opened, whereafter theinside of the oven is rinsed with water.

The detergent composition according to the present invention contains,as indispensable ingredients, an inorganic alkali salt having a functionof decomposing oils and thereby developing detergency; a water-insolubleorganic solvent having a function of dissolving oils and therebyimproving detergency; an amine having a function of dissolving oils andthereby improving the detergency by addition of a small amount of theamine; a pyrrolidone compound having a function of dissolving oils,improving the wetting property of an object to be cleaned, and improvingthe detergency; a polyhydric alcohol having a function of adjusting theviscosity and evaporation rate of water, and simultaneously solubilizingthe combinedly used non-water-soluble organic solvent; nonionic surfaceactive agent having a function of solubilizing the combinedly usedpyrrolidone compound, and so forth; and water, in combination, andtherefore, since the excellent functions of these ingredients aresynergetically exhibited, it becomes possible to perform uniformcleaning which ensures safety, which can be applied at the time ofhigh-temperature or spray operation, which leaves no residue at all orvery little after cleaning, and which can be performed in a short timeand with high efficiency.

In the following examples, the present invention will be explained withreference to working examples and comparative examples. The "parts"described in the following are to be construed to indicate "parts byweight" unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLES 1 to 6

In each of Examples, there were prepared cleaning liquids having thecompositions as described in the following Table 1.

Preparation of Cleaning Liquid

In a beaker (300 ml), the thickener was dissolved in water and agitatedat room temperature (about 25° C.) and for about 5 minutes on apropeller mixer rotating at 1000 r.p.m. To the resultant uniformsolution, the remaining ingredients (see, Table 1) were admixed andagitated at room temperature and for about 3 minutes on a propellermixer rotating at 300 r.p.m. A cleaning liquid having the intendedcomposition was thus obtained.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        (Composition of Cleaning Liquid)                                                     Examples                                                               Ingredients                                                                            1       2       3     4     5     6                                  ______________________________________                                        potassium                                                                               5      10      15    20    --    --                                 carbonate                                                                     ammonium --      --      --    --    10    15                                 carbonate                                                                     benzyl alcohol                                                                          5      10      15    20    --    --                                 phenylmethyl                                                                           --      --      --    --     8    15                                 carbitol                                                                      monoethanol-                                                                            2       5      10    15    --    --                                 amine                                                                         diethanolamine                                                                         --      --      --    --     5    10                                 N-octyl-   0.5    2       3     5     1    --                                 pyrrolidone                                                                   N-dodecyl-                                                                             --      --      --    --    --     3                                 pyrrolidone                                                                   glycerin 20      --      --    --    60    --                                 polypropylene                                                                          --      60      80    120   --    100                                glycol                                                                        sodium    2       3       5    10     2     5                                 dodecyl-                                                                      benzene-                                                                      sulfonate                                                                     sodium   --      --      --    --          --                                 dodecyl-                                                                      sulfonate                                                                     xanthene gum                                                                             0.5     0.5     0.5   0.5   0.5   0.5                              water    100     100     100   100   100   100                                ______________________________________                                         (The numerals in the table are parts by weight)                          

When the performances of the obtained cleaning liquids were evaluated asfor the items of compatibility, detergency, rinsability and viscosity,there were obtained the results as set forth in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        (Performances of Cleaning Liquid)                                             Evaluation                                                                             Examples                                                             Items    1       2       3     4     5     6                                  ______________________________________                                        Compatibility                                                                          good    good    good  good  good  good                               Detergency                                                                             good    excel-  excel-                                                                              excel-                                                                              good  good                                                lent    lent  lent                                           Rinsability                                                                            good    good    good  good  good  good                               Viscosity                                                                              excel-  excel-  excel-                                                                              excel-                                                                              excel-                                                                              excel-                                      lent    lent    lent  lent  lent  lent                               ______________________________________                                    

As can be understood from the results of Table 2, in the case of thecleaning liquids according to the present invention, there can beobtained well-balanced excellent performances with regard to all theitems of compatibility, detergency, rinsability, and viscosity.

The evaluation method and evaluation criterion used in the presentworking example are, respectively, as described below.

Evaluation of Compatibility:

The condition of the obtained cleaning liquid was visually observed, andevaluated in the following two grades.

    ______________________________________                                        "good":                                                                              transparent and uniform solution (capable of application by                   a hand spray, rinsable with water)                                     "bad": accompanied with white turbidity or phase separation                   ______________________________________                                    

Evaluation of Detergency:

A 0.5 g of mixture of pig tallow (lard commercially available fromTsukishima Food Co.) and vegetable fat and oil (salad oil commerciallyavailable from Nisshin Oil Co.) was coated with a brush on an iron platehaving a size of 25 mm×75 mm×0.8 mm. The oily film having a thickness ofabout 0.5 mm was coated on an approximately two-thirds portion of thesurface of the iron plate. The oily iron plate was introduced into anoven so as to be baked for 2 hours at 250° C. Subsequently, drops (about0.4 ml) of sample cleaning liquid were dropped onto the iron plate bakedwith fat and oil, and the iron plate was introduced into a constanttemperature and constant humidity oven with 80° C.--90% RH, andmaintained for 30 minutes. The iron plate was taken out from the ovenand the smears of the adhered fat and oil were washed with water byrubbing water-moistured soft sponge against the treated smear. Rubbingwas made with application of a uniform and constant amount of pressure.The removal rate (%) showing to what extent the fat and oil had beenremoved was visually judged.

    ______________________________________                                        "Excellent":  removal rate of 80% or more                                     "good":       removal rate ranging from 50 to 80%                             "bad":        removal rate less than 50%                                      ______________________________________                                    

Evaluation of Rinsability:

The aforesaid procedure for the evaluation of detergency was repeatedexcept the washing and rubbing procedures were replaced by the followingprocedure. After the treated iron plate had been taken out from theoven, city tap water (Kanagawa) was allowed to vertically flow over thecleaning liquid (incorporating the smears of fat and oil) of the ironplate, declined at an angle of about 45° and distanced at about 15 cmfrom a faucet, for a period of time of 30 seconds. The pressure of thetap water was 0.1 to 0.4 kgf/cm². Visual observation was made as towhether the cleaning liquid remained or not.

    ______________________________________                                        "good":                                                                              no residue (The cleaning liquid was completely removed by                     rinsing.)                                                              "bad": The cleaning liquid remained on the plate as a visually                       discernible residue.                                                   ______________________________________                                    

Evaluation of Viscosity:

The Brookfield viscosities of the cleaning liquids were determined at atemperature of 20° C. as previously mentioned, and evaluated in thefollowing 4 grades.

    ______________________________________                                        "excellent": 50 to 1000 cps                                                   "good":      10 to below 50 cps, above 1000 to 10000 cps                      "tolerably good":                                                                          5 to below 10 cps, above 1000 to 50000 cps                       "bad":       below 5 cps, above 50000                                         ______________________________________                                    

Comparative Examples 1 to 4

The procedure described in Examples 1 to 6 was repeated. In the presentcomparative examples, however, the cleaning liquids having thecompositions as described in the following Table 3 were prepared for thecomparison's sake.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        (Composition of Cleaning Liquids)                                                          Comparative Examples                                             Ingredients    1       2         3    4                                       ______________________________________                                        potassium carbonate                                                                          0.1     5         60   10                                      ammonium carbonate                                                                           --      --        --   --                                      benzyl alcohol 2       2         40   10                                      phenylmethyl carbitol                                                                        --      --        --   --                                      monoethanolamine                                                                             1       1         25    5                                      diethanolamine --      --        --   --                                      N-octylpyrrolidone                                                                           0.2     --        20   10                                      N-dodecylpyrrolidone                                                                         --      --        --   --                                      glycerine      --      --        250  --                                      polypropylene glycol                                                                         10      20        --   --                                      sodium          0.01   0.1        1    2                                      dodecylbenzenesulfonate                                                       sodium dodecylsulfonate                                                                      --      --        --   --                                      water          100     100       100  100*                                    ______________________________________                                         (The numerals in the table are parts by weight)                               100*: containing 100 parts by weight of magnesium aluminium silicate     

When the obtained cleaning liquids were evaluated as to the items ofcompatibility, detergency, rinsability, and viscosity, there wereobtained the results as described in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        (Performances of Cleaning Liquids)                                                     Comparative Examples                                                 Evaluation Items                                                                         1         2         3       4                                      ______________________________________                                        Compatibility                                                                            bad       good      bad     bad                                    Detergency bad       bad       good    good                                   Rinsability                                                                              good      good      bad     bad                                    Viscosity  excellent excellent excellent                                                                             bad                                    ______________________________________                                    

As can be understood from the results of Table 4, in the case of thecleaning liquids having the compositions departing from the range of thepresent invention, although acceptable results can be obtained in somebut not all of the compatibility, detergency, rinsability, andviscosity, the balance of properties are not uniformly improved.

I claim:
 1. A detergent composition formulated with a combination ofingredients, based on 100 parts by weight of water, comprising:1 to 50parts by weight of an inorganic alkali salt, 1 to 50 parts by weight ofa water-insoluble organic solvent, 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of anamine, 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of a water insoluble pyrrolidonecompound, 1 to 200 parts by weight of polyhydric alcohol, and
 0. 1 to 50parts by weight of anionic surface active agent.
 2. A detergentcomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anionic surface activeagent is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonatesand alkylsulfonates.
 3. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein said inorganic alkali salt is an inorganic alkali carbonate. 4.A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidwater-insoluble organic solvent is selected from the group consisting ofbenzyl alcohol, phenyl ether, and phenyl carbitol.
 5. A detergentcomposition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said amine is selected fromthe group consisting of aliphatic primary amines and aromatic primaryamines.
 6. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein theBrookfield viscosity at 20° C. of said composition is within the rangebetween 5 and 50,000 cps.